United forum seeks clarity on Sunday banking operations

Move follows government’s assurance that customer convenience remains priority ahead of proposed three-day strike

Chandigarh, September 24

The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) has sought clarity from the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) on the nature of banking operations to be undertaken on Sunday, September 27, after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) granted permission for bank branches and currency chests to operate a day ahead of the proposed three-day nationwide bank strike.

The UFBU’s move comes after the Ministry of Finance said earlier on Wednesday that the convenience and welfare of bank customers remained a priority and that the opening of branches on September 27 was aimed at ensuring access to essential banking services before the proposed strike.

In a circular issued on Wednesday, the UFBU said different banks were issuing different instructions following the RBI communication to the IBA. The forum said there was no clarity on whether September 27, a Sunday, had been declared a working day under the Negotiable Instruments Act.

It also questioned whether banks were expected to undertake all banking business on the day or only services such as filling ATMs and operating currency chests. The development comes ahead of the UFBU’s proposed strike from September 28 to 30, with September 26 and 27 falling on the preceding weekend.

The UFBU said it had held an urgent online meeting at 10 pm to discuss the issue and decided to obtain details of the instructions issued by individual banks before taking up the matter with the IBA. The forum said it would keep its units informed about further developments.